Apparatus and method for bagging agricultural feed

ABSTRACT

An improved agricultural feed bagging machine for loading feedstock into expandable storage bags. The bagging machine has a double-tapered tunnel for deploying a folded bag, stretching the bag and then releasing the stretched bag about feed that is simultaneously being compacted and extruded within the tunnel towards and out an open end of the tunnel. The machine also includes a hopper disposed adjacent the tunnel forward end and communicating with the tunnel through a feed opening oriented in a wall defining the forward end of the tunnel. The machine also includes a rotor element for propelling feed stock from the hopper though the feed opening into the tunnel and a secured bag, the rotor element having a rotor rotatable about a horizontal axis. The present invention also provides an improved method for loading agricultural feed stock into a horizontally deployed bag including the steps of: mounting the bag in a folded condition around a forward end of a tunnel; deploying the bag from the forward end of the tunnel towards a rearward end of the tunnel; stretching the bag circumferentially with the tunnel between the forward and rearward ends, and then reducing in circumference the bag; compacting feed, from the tunnel forward end, into the tunnel between the forward and rearward ends, and then reducing in circumference the feed as the feed passes towards the rearward end of the tunnel; and allowing the feed to extrude from the rearward end of the tunnel into the bag.

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/904,160 filed Jul. 31,1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,552.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of loading compressible,agricultural feed stock into expandable storage bags, and morespecifically to an improved method and apparatus of evenly compressingthe feed stock to achieve fully filled, smooth bags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Horizontally expandable, silage storage bags are commonly used as analternative to permanent feed storage structures such as barns andsilos. From an economic standpoint, the expandable storage bag ispreferable to more elaborate, permanent structure. Further, theexpandable bags are more easily loaded than permanent structure and thesilage stored therein is readily accessible for use.

An exemplary prior art structure is disclosed in Reissue U.S. Pat No.31,810, to Lee. A tractor-powered loading apparatus is disclosed inassociation with an expandable bag. A backstop is located at the filledend of the bag and has attached thereto laterally spaced cables whichextend back to rotatable cable drums. The drums are yieldably brakedand, under a predetermined force applied to the cables, release thecable to allow movement of the loading apparatus and tractor away fromthe filled end of the bag. The bag is filled by a toothed rotor whichpropels silage through a short tunnel and into the bag inlet. Bypresetting the braking structure to yield at a desired cable tension, anoperator can select the degree of compaction of silage in the bag.

The bag in such bagging machines is manufactured and delivered in apleated shape, i.e., folded into an accordion-bellows-type shape.Typically, a bag having a nominal ten-foot-diameter (approximately 3meters diameter, or 9.6 meters circumference) and a 300 foot length(approximately 90 meters length) will be folded to a 10-foot-diameter(about 3 meter) ring about 1 foot (about 0.3 meter) long and 1 foot(about 0.3 meter) thick. To start the loading operation, this bag-ringis pre-loaded around the tunnel, and the pleats are unfolded one at atime as the bag is deployed and filled with feed stock.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,480 issued Aug. 25, 1987 to Ryan, an agriculturalfeed bagger is described. A brake disk on a shaft associated with spacedcable feeding drums that are yieldably braked controls compacting of thefeed and the expansion of the bag. Prior-art FIGS. 1A (plan view), 1B(elevation view), 1C (front perspective view, showing bag 99 beingfilled) and 1D (back view) illustrate one such feed bagging machine 100.Tractor 91 provides power to the feed bagger 100, but does not pull thebagger 100, rather, the pressure from the feed filling the bag pushesthe bagger 100 and tractor 91 ahead at a rate equal to the filling ofbag 99. A steel cable between bagger 100 and backstop 101 is yieldablyheld by a disk-brake mechanism 141 that ensures the feed is compactedbefore the bagger is allowed to advance. A rotor 130 having multipleteeth 131, and powered by a power-take-off (PTO) shaft 133 from tractor91, forces feed 98 up and back into a short tunnel 150. Movable upperbag bracket 125 is used to lift the folded bag into place on the outsideof tunnel 150, and supports/holds the folded bag 99 at the front end ofthe top of tunnel 150 as it unfolds from the inside. Lower bag tray 120is substantially horizontal, supported at a fixed level at its frontedge by brackets 121, and yieldably supported at its back edge byspring-and-chain 124 (which can have its force adjusted by settingvarious chain links of the chain onto a fixed hook at the top). Elevator140, which has a cleated moving belt 141 (e.g., a cleated rubber belt ora chained flight conveyer) moves feed up between two side walls 142 thatare substantially vertical at the top of elevator 140. The feed thendrops into hopper 139. Such a bagger 100 has a tunnel 150 that providessome support for bag 99 as it unfolds, but which has side walls alongwhich the bag unfolds that are substantially parallel to the directionof travel of the bagger 100. The bagger itself provides negligibleback-pressure to the feed which thus presses the bag outward once thefeed reaches the bag into a cross section that is circular/ovalinitially. FIG. 1E is a cross-section view of section 1E--1E from FIG.1B showing the general oval-like shape 89 of bag 99 after the bag 99 hasbeing filled and passed beyond tunnel 150, (with a flat bottom againstthe ground, but which collapses more over time (e.g., several days orweeks) to shape 89').

U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,659 describes a tunnel that can be lengthened, forexample by a hydraulic cylinder.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,806 describes a tunnel that has ridges on the insidevertical surfaces. It also describes cables that cross in the feed pathin the bag.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,659 describes a tunnel that includes horizontalcables in the feed path in the bag.

There are numerous problems that one contends with using such previousbagging structures. To a large degree, the compliance of the bag itself,combined with the force provided by the teeth pushing feed into the bagagainst the pressure provided by the compliance of the plastic bag andthe braking structure determines the amount of compaction of the feed.That is, to a large extent, the compaction of the feed takes place inthe bag itself. As the bag deploys, folds in the bag release unevenly,and the varying pressure of feed against the stretchable plastic bagvaries the compaction at various points along the length of the bag,leaving a lumpy bag and often leaves pockets of air. This air allowsdecomposition or spoilage of the feed in the bag, and a resulting lossof nutritional value remaining for the livestock that eat the feed. Inaddition, the degree of compaction varies with varying moisture/drynessin the feed, the type of feed (e.g., corn silage vs. have silage vs.grains, etc.).

What is needed is a apparatus and method for bagging agricultural feedthat provides a high amount of even compaction in varying conditions

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved agricultural feed stockloading apparatus that includes a feed tunnel having forward andrearward ends. The tunnel also has a top wall extending between oppositeside walls defining a bag opening having a bottom portion extendingbetween the opposite side walls. A folded feed bag with a first end maybe placed around the tunnel with the bag first end substantiallycoinciding with the defined bag opening. The tunnel includes a doubletaper that, starting at the forward end enlarges and then reduces incircumference.

The machine also includes a hopper disposed adjacent the tunnel forwardend and communicating with the tunnel through a feed opening oriented ina wall defining the forward end of the tunnel. The machine also includesa rotor element for propelling feed stock from the hopper though thefeed opening into the tunnel and a secured bag, the rotor element havinga rotor rotatable about a horizontal axis.

The present invention also provides an improved method for loadingagricultural feed stock into a horizontally deployed bag including thesteps of: mounting the bag in a folded condition around a forward end ofa tunnel; deploying the bag from the forward end of the tunnel towards arearward end of the tunnel; stretching the bag circumferentially withthe tunnel between the forward and rearward ends, and then reducing incircumference the bag; compacting feed, from the tunnel forward end,into the tunnel between the forward and rearward ends, and then reducingin circumference the feed as the feed passes towards the rearward end ofthe tunnel; and allowing the feed to extrude from the rearward end ofthe tunnel into the bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a plan view of a prior-art feed-bagging machine 100.

FIG. 1B is an elevation view of a prior-art feed-bagging machine 100.

FIG. 1C is a front perspective view, showing bag 99 being filled, of aprior-art feed-bagging machine 100.

FIG. 1D is a back perspective view of a prior-art feed-bagging machine100.

FIG. 1E is a cross-section view of section 1E-1E from FIG. 1B showingthe general shape of bag 99 after the bag 99 has being filled and passedbeyond tunnel 150, wherein the bag 99 has an oval-like shape.

FIG. 2A is a plan view of one embodiment of the present invention 200.

FIG. 2B is an elevation view of one embodiment of the present invention200.

FIG. 2C is an elevation view of another embodiment of the presentinvention 200.

FIG. 2D is a cross-section view of section D--D from FIG. 2B showing thegeneral shape of tunnel 250 and bag 99 where the bag 99 is being filledin tunnel 250.

FIG. 2E is a cross-section view of section E--E from FIG. 2B showing thegeneral shape 289 of bag 99 after the bag 99 has being filled and passedbeyond tunnel 250.

FIG. 3A is an elevation view of one embodiment of improved backstop 201.

FIG. 3B is a plan view of one embodiment of improved backstop 201.

FIG. 3C is a plan view of another embodiment of improved backstop 201.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of bagger 200 having an improved liftarm 410 that is wide enough to load a folded bag 99 around widenedtunnel 250.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of yet another embodiment of the presentinvention 200.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a machine 200 showing the extended hopper box550 and two counter-rotating flapper assemblies 500.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof,and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments inwhich the invention may be practiced. It is understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show various embodiments of the present inventionhaving an elongated tapered tunnel 250. FIGS. 2A (plan view of oneembodiment of the present invention), 2B (elevation view of oneembodiment), 2C (elevation view of another embodiment) illustratevarious embodiments of bagger machine 200. Tractor 91 provides power tothe feed bagger 200, but does not pull the bagger 200, rather, thepressure from the feed filling the bag pushes the bagger 200 and tractor91 ahead at a rate equal to the filling of bag 99. In one embodiment, asteel cable between bagger 200 and backstop 201 is yieldably held by adisk-brake mechanism that ensures the feed is compacted before thebagger is allowed to advance. A rotor 130 having multiple teeth 131, andpowered by a power-take-off (PTO) shaft 133 from tractor 91, forces feed98 up and back into tunnel 250. The forward end of tunnel 250, in oneembodiment is formed the same as upper front wall 137 and lower frontwall 138 of a conventional tunnel 150 (see FIGS. 2B and 5). In one suchembodiment, improved tunnel 250 is welded to front edge 199 of aconventional bagger machine 150, after cutting off the straightconventional tunnel portion 150.

Improved tunnel 250 provides several functions to improve and increasethe compaction of feed into bag 99, to make the compaction more even, tomake the bag 99 smoother (thus reducing included air pockets), toimprove the cross-sectional shape of bag 99. The overall idea forimproved tunnel 250 is to slightly stretch the bag 99 with the sidesand/or top of tunnel 250 before the compacted feed is released into bag99, to provide a longer tunnel that is tapered inward to compress thefeed at the sides and/or top in the tunnel before it is released intobag 99 and also to provide for evening-out of the degree of compactionin the feed (i.e., which occurs within the substantially fixeddimensions of the steel (or other strong metal) sides and top of tunnel250 rather than in the resilient and expandable sides of bag 99), and toprovide a shape to the extruded compacted feed that better retains thatshape. In other feed-bagging machines, there is little control over boththe degree of compaction versus/along the length of the bag 99, suchthat bag 99 bulges out in sections of the bag 99 when compaction is toohigh, and contracts in other sections where compaction is less. With theimproved feed bagger 200, the bag 99 is slightly stretched from thecircumference at which it releases from top holder 125 and bottom tray220 as it passes over wide area 251 of tunnel 250, and then gradually isallowed to somewhat contract as it passes to the back end of tunnel 250.In one embodiment, wide area 251 is a point of tapered panels, whereinthe point is approximately 9 inches wider than the prior-art straightwalls. In another embodiment, rounded walls are used to stretch bag 99,rather than the segmented flat walls shown here. Note that the sides andtop of tunnel 250, which hold the two sides (out to the two widest sidepoints 251) and the top of bag 99, and the weight of the feed 98 insidebag 99 at line 260 that fixes the bottom side of bag 99, control theamount of stretching that occurs in bag 99, as well as its ultimateshape. By leaving the bottom of tunnel 250 open, and allowing thecompacted feed 98 to determine the shape and position of the filled bag99, it allows the folded bag 99 to be loaded into the deploymentposition shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, or 2C from the back of the tunnel 250and around the wide areas 251 (i.e., it is much easier to stretch asingle layer of bag 99 around the wide portion of tunnel 250 than tostretch one hundred or more folded layers).

The embodiment of FIG. 2C shows elevator 240 moved forward on machine200 such that angled walls 242 deliver all of the feed into hopper 139.Hopper 139 has also been modified with extension 550, auger 530 whichrotates about shaft 520 moving the grain to the rear of the hopper whereit is distributed by flappers (paddles) 540. Shaft 520 is driven by, forexample, hydraulic motor 510. In one embodiment, two augers 530 areprovided, each rotating in opposite directions to distribute thefeedstock more evenly.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the hopper extension and augers shownin FIG. 2C. As shown in FIG. 5, front tunnel walls 137 and 138 areangled to open into tunnel 250.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a machine 200 showing the extended hopper box550 and two counter-rotating flapper assemblies 500. Flappers 540 arespaced apart sufficiently such that some of the incoming feedstock fallsbetween the rotating flapper assemblies to the center of rotor 130 whileother feedstock is propelled outward to the ends of rotor 130. Thisarrangement helps prevent the bridging of feedstock within hopper 139which otherwise occurs because of the downward and inward taper of thehopper 139, which sometimes wedges the feedstock out of the reach ofrotor 130.

Movable upper bag bracket 125 is used to lift the folded bag into placeon the outside of tunnel 250, and supports/holds the folded bag 99 atthe front end of the top of tunnel 250 as it unfolds from the inside.

Lower bag tray 220 has a slant that is adjustable from horizontal,supported at various user-selectable levels at its front edge bybrackets 121, and yieldably supported at its back edge byspring-and-chain 124 (which can have its force adjusted by settingvarious chain links of the chain onto a fixed hook at the top). Thisallows the front edge of lower bag tray 220 to be lowered while thefront edge is held by spring/chain 124 so that the bag feeds moreevenly, and with less likelihood of more than one fold at a time fromreleasing (once two or more folds release, the weight of the compactedfeed on such folds prevents them from ever straightening, thus leaving alumpy bag and likely included air pockets in the feed in the bag, thusaccelerating degradation or spoilage of the feed.

In other elevators 140, one wall 142 is sometimes angled outward (e.g.,at about 45 degrees from vertical) at the bottom of the elevator 140 toprovide a bigger target area for feed being placed onto the elevator,but then transitions to a vertical orientation before the top ofelevator 140. However, the other wall 142 is vertical for the entirelength of the elevator. The transition of the first wall from angled tovertical causes grain/feed at that wall to "fold over" the grain that isabove the belt 141 (e.g., a cleated rubber belt or a chained flightconveyer) and then roll down on the grain/feed traveling up the elevator140. This tumbling disrupts the flow of feed, and can cause loss ofefficiency since the feed remains tumbling on the elevator 140, and alsocauses more lost feed to blowing in the wind.

In contrast, elevator 240, which has a cleated moving belt 141 (e.g., acleated rubber belt or a chained flight conveyer), moves feed up betweentwo side walls 242 that are angled outward for substantially the entirelength of elevator 140. In another embodiment, one of the walls 242 isangled outward and the other wall 242 is substantially vertical. Thefeed, in either embodiment, once it reaches the top of elevator 240 thendrops into hopper 239. Because the side walls are angled at the sameangle for their entire length, the feed has little tendency to fold overor roll down, thus providing improved efficiency. By angling both sidewalls 242 outward, a much larger target area is provided for loadingfeed onto the elevator 240.

FIG. 3A shows an elevation view of improved backstop 201. Backstop 201includes a reinforcing bar 202 and crossbar members 203. FIGS. 3B and 3Cshow plan views of two alternative embodiments of backstop 201 havingdifferent configurations of crossbar members 203. Carrying brackets 205in one embodiment allow the bottom of backstop 201 to be bolted to holes305 at the rear of tunnel 250, for more secure highway transportation ofmachine 200.

Problems associated with the operation of the previous bagger 100:

1. Feed does not flow smoothly into the feedstock storage bag 99. Theuneven movement of feed into the bag results in air inclusions in thefeedstock and bulging of various parts of bag 99 where the compactionpressure is too great. Air in the feedstock results in the oxidation ofmore feed, resulting in less feed value to the stored crop.

2. Uneven and lumpy feeding of the feedstock into the storage bagresults in less feed stored in the bag, since the storage space is notfully utilized. (The sections of the feed with lower compaction do notfilly utilize the bag capacity.)

3. Conventional baggers leave the filled bags with an oval-like shape89, with a flattened bottom (see FIG. 1E). FIG. 1E is a cross-sectionview of section 1E-1E from FIG. 1B showing the general oval-like shape89 of bag 99 after the bag 99 has being filled and passed beyond tunnel150, (with a flat bottom against the ground, but which collapses moreover time to shape 89'). This oval shape 89 lacks a wide stablefootprint or base for the feed 98 to rest on. Gravity acts on the feedcausing the feed to sag at the lower edges to shape 89'. The oval shape89 or 89? are not consistent with the shape of modern machinery scoops(i.e., front-end loader buckets) used to empty the feed from the bag 99.

Benefits of improved bagger design of the present invention:

1. Uniform compression of feed 98 as it enters the storage bag 99 (aftertunnel 250) resulting in greatly reduced air inclusion in feedstockresulting in better feed quality and value.

2. Uniform compression and air exclusion from the feedstock results inmore tons of feed stored in each storage bag 99.

3. A flared wider base is initially imparted to the filled bag 99 due tothe shaping of the feed mass as it is shaped by the improved tunneldesign. This wide base design is a more stable storage stack shape. Thewider base is a shape more suited to feed removal with modern machineryfeed scoops.

4. Uniform planned correct circumferential tension on the feed containerbag 99 as it leaves the bagger 200 and accepts the feedstock 98. Theresult is more feed capacity per lineal foot of bag material.

The benefits described above are the intended results and observedbenefits of the herein contained bagger modifications.

Improved Silage Bagger 200 and Bagging Mechanics

Modified Bagger Tunnel 250

The bagger tunnel 250 is modified in a manner which causes the feedstockto form a compact, smooth, uniformly compressed, and stabilized feedpack to enter the feed storage bag 99. Previous bagger tunnels are notdesigned to prevent rolling and boiling of feedstock as it enters thefeed storage bag 99 after leaving e.g., tunnel 150. The result wasvariable feed compression and air inclusion in the feed mass. Air isdetrimental to the feed preservation process.

In one embodiment, bagger tunnel 250 is also redesigned with anexpanded, and smooth outer surface, without external pipes or otherreinforcing structures. This shape and surface characteristics, alongwith increased bagger ground clearance, puts a planned tension on thefeed container bag so that it leaves the bag holder 125 and lower bagtray 220 and accepts the feed 89 in a planned properly tensionedcondition. This condition allows for more feed storage per lineal footof bag 99, and helps reduce the amount of included air in the feedstockmass resulting in better feed preservation. In one embodiment, thehanging brackets on the front edge of tray 220 include multiplevertically spaced pins 222 to allow various height adjustments relativeto bracket 121.

In one embodiment, wheels 129 (which in one conventional machine are15-inch radius wheels and tires) are replaced with larger wheels 229(which in one embodiment are 20-inch diameter wheels and tires), whicheffectively raises machine 200 by five inches, providing increasedground clearance, more space to load the folded bag 99 onto lower tray220, and increased stretching of bag 99 between tunnel 250 and theground 90.

The bagger tunnel 250 is shaped to leave the filled bag standing with aflat bottom and near vertical sides shape 289 (see FIG. 2E). This shape289 tends to change less over time from the effect of gravity and bagstretch, than does a rounded filled shape 89 (see FIG. 1E), which tendsto sag to shape 89' over weeks of storage.

In one embodiment, the new tunnel design uses a conventional bagger 100,but removes the original bagger tunnel 150. The modified tunnel 250 iswelded to the bagger output frame. The top of the tunnel is the sameheight as the original frame. The improved tunnel shape is nine incheswider at the lower outer corners of the original bagger frame. This hasbeen proven to be the required increase in space required to properlyshape the feed mass as it leaves the feedstock input cylinder. In oneembodiment, the improved tunnel 250 is five feet in length. This hasproven to be the length needed to stabilize the feedstock mass as itenters the plastic container bag. In one embodiment, bagger tunnel 250tapers inward 1.5 inches at the bottom outer comers at each rear sidefrom the widest point 251 to the widest point 254 at the rear of tunnel250. This slight taper has been proven to be very helpful, or perhapsnecessary, to properly smooth and compress the feedstock mass as itenters the feed storage bag 99. See Appendix Sketch A for illustrationof shape and dimensions.

Modified Bag Trav 220 Position

Conventional bag trays 120 does not release the bag in a uniform manner,the result is wasted bag capacity and air pockets. Having the uppersurface of the folded, undeployed bag in a substantially horizontalposition as shown in FIG. 1B seems to cause much of this problem. Theimproved bag holder 220 positioning allows the weight of feed 89 in thebag 99, as well as the inclined angle away from the direction the bag isunfolding to add tension to the releasing draft on the bag so that itleaves smoothly and under adequate tension to keep the bag smooth andwrinkle-free to the feed application point. The modified bag tray 220 islowered in front by lengthening the front support brackets (in oneembodiment, several cross-members are welded at various locations alongthis increased length to allow the user to select the proper amount ofinclination of lower bag tray 220. Larger 20-inch wheels and tires(which replace the 15-inch-diameter wheels that initially come with onetype of conventional machine 100 that is modified to bagger machine 200of the present invention) are required in order to increase groundclearance for the entire machine 200 and the lowered/inclined lower bagtray 220. The raised machine 200 also allows for easier installation ofthe new bags to the machine bag holder. See Appendix photograph 12 fordetail of part location.

Accessory Box

The modified backstop-supporting brackets are larger and removable,requiring a storage place. The metal box is added to the machine toprovide a safe and dependable storage site for these parts. See Appendixphotograph 1 for location and visual of the parts box.

Modified Backstop Transport Brackets

The backstop needs brackets to hold it during transport from location tolocation. The modified feed tunnel has newly designed transportbrackets. See Appendix photograph 8, arrow a, for visual of transportbracket.

Modified Backstop Lift Arm

The longer feed tunnel requires a modification to the position of thelift arm. The lift arm is moved to the outside of the machine. The innertube of the lift arm is lengthened to give the lift arm the reach neededto reach the center of the backstop from its new position on the baggerframe. See Appendix photograph 8, arrow b and arrow c for modificationto lift arm.

Modified Backstop Lift Arm Position

The lift arm is repositioned further out on the machine to allow for thewidening of the feed control tunnel. See Appendix photograph 8 forillustration of new position.

Backstop Modification

The modified bagger 200 produces a wider finished product than theoriginal machine 100. The backstop 201 must be made wider than backstop101 to allow the brake cables to clear the bag sides and the widerdouble-tapered tunnel 250. The backstops 201 for each width machine arewidened to allow for the proper cable-to-bag clearance.

Backstop Modification for the Nine-Foot Bagger

The backstop 201 for the nine-foot bagger must be widened by one footand the backstop must be reinforced with a pipe bridging to prevent itfrom bending. By adding a pipe bridge reinforcement, the lower beam ofthe nine-foot backstop is strengthened to take the pressure of thebraking force against the feed storage bag. See Appendix Photographs 9,10 and 11 for exhibit of modified backstop.

Backstop Transportation Support Brackets

Removable backstop support brackets are designed and positioned to theback edge of the modified feed control tunnel. See Appendix photograph 5for location and view of modified support brackets.

Summary

The main purpose of this effort is to patent the modifications thatcontribute to the improved bagger product Those design-modifyingfeatures that result in the improved product are:

1. The enlarged space in the bagger tunnel as the feedstock leaves thefeed-stocking cylinder and enters the bagger tunnel, nine inches addedto the bottom sides at the front edge of the bagging tunnel.

2. The long slightly narrowing five-foot bagger tunnel. This length isneeded to contain the feed and mold the shape as before it leaves thebagger.

3. The increased ground clearance from using 20-inch wheels which changethe bag-to-machine tension as it is pulled over the bagger tunnel. Theadded tension to the bag in the bag ying platform caused by lowering thefront of the bag tray, allowed by the greater ground clearance. Thisadded tension provides for smoother feeding of the bag to the baggertunnel surface.

4. The smooth and shaped shoulders of the bagger tunnel along with theincreased ground clearance which properly tension and stretch the bag asit accepts the feedstock from the bagger tunnel.

5. The wider base to the feed tunnel shape which molds the feedstock toenter the feed bag with a wider, flatter bottom to the finished productPhotos of the improved bagger 200 are attached in Appendix A.

The attached Appendix shows copies of 36 photographs of bagging machine200 and prior-art bagging machine 100.

It is understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will beapparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the abovedescription. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determinedwith reference to the appended claims, along with the fill scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved agricultural feed stock loadingapparatus, comprising:a feed tunnel having forward and rearward ends,the tunnel further having at least a top wall extending between oppositeside walls defining a bag opening high a bottom portion extendingbetween the opposite side walls, such that a folded feed bag may beplaced around the tunnel, and wherein the tunnel includes a double taperthat, between the forward end and the rearward end of the tunnelenlarges the bag in circumference and then reduces the bag incircumference; a hopper disposed adjacent the tunnel forward end andcommunicating with the tunnel through a feed opening oriented in a walldefining the forward end of the tunnel; a rotor element that propelsfeed stock from the hopper though the feed opening into the tunnel andthe bag, wherein feed from the hopper is compacted into the forward endof the tunnel and the feed is reduced in circumference as the feedpasses towards the rearward end of the tunnel.
 2. The feed stock loadingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:a bag top holder(125) for lifting the bag onto the tunnel; and a bag lift arm (410)elongated sufficiently to maneuver the bag top holder and bag over thetunnel.
 3. The feed stock loading apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising:a bag holder including a lower tray that is inclinedupwards towards the direction of bag travel, wherein the bag holderallows the weight of feed in the bag, as well as the inclined angle ofthe tray to add tension to the releasing draft on the bag so that thebag leaves smoothly and under adequate tension to keep the bagsubstantially smooth and wrinkle-free.
 4. An improved agricultural feedstock loading apparatus, comprising:a feed tunnel having forward andrearward ends, the tunnel further having at least a top wall extendingbetween opposite side walls defining a bag opening having a bottomportion extending between the opposite side walls, such that a foldedfeed bag may be deployed around the tunnel; a hopper disposed adjacentthe tunnel forward end and communicating with the tunnel through a feedopening oriented in a wall defining the forward end of the tunnel; arotor element that propels feed stock from the hopper though the feedopening into the tunnel and the bag, a bag holder including a lower traythat is inclined upwards towards the direction of bag travel, whereinthe bag holder allows the weight of feed in the bag, as well as theinclined angle of the tray to add tension to the releasing draft on thebag so that the bag leaves smoothly and under adequate tension to keepthe bag substantially smooth and wrinkle-free.
 5. The feed stock loadingapparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:a bag top holder forlifting the bag onto the tunnel; and a bag lift arm elongatedsufficiently to maneuver the bag top holder and bag over the tunnel. 6.The feed stock loading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein thetunnel includes a double taper that, between the forward end and therearward end of the tunnel enlarges the bag in circumference and thenreduces the bag in circumference, wherein feed from the hopper iscompacted into the forward end of the tunnel and the feed is reduced incircumference as the feed passes towards the rearward end of the tunnel.7. An improved feed tunnel for an agricultural feed stock loadingapparatus, the feed stock loading apparatus including a hoppercommunicating with the tunnel through a feed opening, and a rotorelement that propels feed stock from the hopper though the feed openinginto the tunnel and from there into a feed bag deployed from around thetunnel, the feed tunnel comprising:two opposite side walls; a top wallextending between the two opposite side walls defining a bag openinghaving a bottom portion extending between the opposite side walls;wherein:the tunnel is configured such that a folded feed bag with afirst end may be placed around the tunnel, and the tunnel includes adouble taper that enlarges the bag in circumference and then reduces thebag in circumference between a forward end and a rearward end of thetunnel, wherein feed stock is compacted into the forward end of thetunnel and the feed is reduced in circumference as the feed passestowards the rearward end of the tunnel.
 8. The feed tunnel according toclaim 7, wherein the tunnel has sufficient length such that feedcompaction occurs substantially only within the tunnel.
 9. The feedtunnel according to claim 7, wherein the tunnel side walls taper inwardstowards the rearward end of the tunnel to compress the feed before it isreleased into the bag.
 10. The feed tunnel according to claim 7, whereinthe tunnel is about five feet in length.
 11. The feed tunnel accordingto claim 7, wherein the tunnel increases in width about nine inches forthe double taper.
 12. The feed tunnel according to claim 7, wherein thetunnel double taper is comprised of segmented substantially flat taperedpanels that increase the tunnel in width at a rate that is greatestbelow a midpoint in height of the tunnel.
 13. The feed tunnel accordingto claim 7, wherein the tunnel is attached to a feedstock-loadingmachine.
 14. The feed tunnel according to claim 13, further comprising:abag holder including a lower tray that is inclined upwards towards thedirection of bag travel, wherein the bag holder allows the weight offeed in the bag, as well as the inclined angle of the tray upwardstowards the direction the bag is unfolding to add tension to thereleasing draft on the bag so that the bag leaves smoothly and underadequate tension to keep the bag substantially smooth and wrinkle-free.15. An improved agricultural feed stock loading apparatus, comprising:afeed tunnel having forward and rearward ends, wherein a folded feed bagmay be placed around the tunnel and deploy by unfolding over the tunneltowards a secured bag end, and wherein the tunnel includes a doubletaper that, between the forward end and the rearward end of the tunnelenlarges the bag in circumference and then reduces the bag incircumference; a hopper disposed near the tunnel forward end andcommunicating with the tunnel through a feed opening oriented in a walldefining the forward end of the tunnel; a rotor element for propellingfeed stock from the hopper though the feed opening into the tunnel,wherein feed from the hopper is compacted into the forward end of thetunnel and the feed is reduced in circumference as the feed passestowards the rearward end of the tunnel.
 16. The feed stock loadingapparatus according to claim 15, wherein the tunnel has sufficientlength such that feed compaction occurs primarily within the tunnelrather than in the bag.
 17. The feed stock loading apparatus accordingto claim 15, wherein the tunnel is about five feet in length.
 18. Thefeed stock loading apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the tunnelincreases in width about nine inches for the double taper.
 19. The feedstock loading apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the tunnel doubletaper is comprised of segmented substantially flat tapered panels thatincrease the tunnel in width at a rate that is greatest below a midpointin height of the tunnel.
 20. The feed stock loading apparatus accordingto claim 15, further comprising:a feed-distributing auger disposedacross a feed input opening of the hopper to distribute feedsubstantially evenly across the hopper.
 21. The feed stock loadingapparatus according to claim 20, wherein the feed-distributing augerincludes a screw portion that moves feed longitudinally along thefeed-distributing auger and a flapper portion that distributes the feedin a lateral direction from the auger.
 22. The feed stock loadingapparatus according to claim 15, further comprising:a bag top holder(125) for lifting the bag onto the tunnel; and a bag lift arm (410)elongated sufficiently to maneuver the bag top holder and bag over thetunnel.
 23. The feed stock loading apparatus according to claim 15,further comprising:wheels having about 20 inch-diameter tires, in orderto raise the feed stock loading apparatus and thus provide a taller,more upright bag when the bag is filled with feed.
 24. The feed stockloading apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising:a bag holderincluding a lower tray that is inclined upwards towards the direction ofbag travel, wherein the bag holder allows the weight of feed in the bag,as well as the inclined angle of the tray upwards towards the directionthe bag is unfolding to add tension to the releasing draft on the bag sothat the bag leaves smoothly and under adequate tension to keep the bagsubstantially smooth and wrinkle-free.
 25. An improved agricultural feedstock loading apparatus, comprising:a feed tunnel having forward andrearward ends, wherein a folded feed bag may be placed around the tunneland deploy by unfolding over the tunnel towards a secured bag end; ahopper disposed near the tunnel forward end and communicating withtunnel through a feed opening oriented in a wall defining the forwardend of the tunnel; a rotor element for propelling feed stock from thehopper though the feed opening into the tunnel; a bag holder including alower tray that is inclined upwards towards the direction of bag travel,wherein the bag holder allows the weight of feed in the bag, as well asthe inclined angle of the tray upwards towards the direction the bag isunfolding to add tension to the releasing draft on the bag so that thebag leaves smoothly and under adequate tension to keep the bagsubstantially smooth and wrinkle-free.
 26. An improved agricultural feedstock loading apparatus, comprising:a feed tunnel having forward andrearward ends, wherein a folded feed bag is deployed around the tunneland deployed by unfolding over the tunnel towards a secured bag end; ahopper disposed near the tunnel forward end and communicating with thetunnel through a feed opening oriented in a wall defining the forwardend of the tunnel; a rotor element for propelling feed stock from thehopper though the feed opening into the tunnel, wherein the tunnel isconfigured such that feed from the hopper is compacted into the forwardend of the tunnel and such that feed compaction occurs primarily withinthe tunnel rather than in the bag and the bag is filled substantiallysmooth and evenly compacted, wherein the tunnel includes a double taperthat, between the forward end and the rearward end of the tunnelenlarges the bag in circumference and then reduces the bag incircumference, wherein feed from the hopper is compacted into theforward end of the tunnel and the feed is reduced in circumference asthe feed passes towards the rearward end of the tunnel.
 27. The feedstock loading apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the tunnel doubletaper is comprised of segmented substantially flat tapered panels thatincrease the tunnel in width at a rate that is greatest below a midpointin height of the tunnel.